Lauro Müller

Müller in the US

Born in Itajaí, Santa Catarina, he was the son of the German immigrants Peter Müller and Anna Michels, originally from the Rhineland. On his mother's side, his first cousin was Filipe Schmidt, who also served two terms as President of Santa Catarina. A passionate follower of Benjamin Constant's positivism in his youth, he embarked on a military career in his native province after a brief stint in a merchant's office.

His political career began in 1889, when the first President of Brazil, Deodoro da Fonseca, made him President of Santa Catarina and charged him with organising the province that had been transformed into a state.

Later, he served as a federal deputy, senator (1899–1926), member of the Academy of Letters (1912–1926), and minister of state. He carried out great reforms while holding the ministerial portfolios of Industry, Transport and Public Works, during the presidency of Rodrigues Alves. As Minister of Foreign Affairs a post he assumed in 1912 upon the untimely death of the Barão do Rio Branco, he pursued economic integration with Argentina and Chile. He was forced to resign in 1917 because Brazil had entered World War I on the side of the Allies, and anti-German sentiment created opposition to him due to his German roots. He was elected President of Santa Catarina again in 1918, but preferred to remain a senator.

During an official visit to the U.S. as Minister of Foreign Affairs, he was offered the title of Doctor Honoris Causa by Harvard University. He was also made an honorary samurai on an official visit to Japan.

The positions he held in his long political career include: Member of the Constitutional Assembly Member of Congress Governor of the State Minister of Public Works General of the Army Minister of Foreign Affairs Senator of the Republic

He became popular for his important public works, such as the construction of Rio de Janeiro's Avenida Central, today Avenida Rio Branco, and improvements to that city's port. He died in Rio in 1926.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Lauro Müller.

• (in Portuguese) Brazilian Regional Bio-Bibliographic Dictionary
• (in Portuguese) Some famous people named Müller

• Newspaper clippings about Lauro Müller in the 20th Century Press Archives of the ZBW

Preceded by Augusto Fausto de Sousa (last Imperial governor)	President of Santa Catarina 1889 — 1891	Succeeded by Manuel Joaquim Machado
Preceded by Filipe Schmidt	President of Santa Catarina 1902 — 1906	Succeeded by Gustavo Richard
Preceded by José Maria da Silva Paranhos, Jr.	Brazilian Academy of Letters - Occupant of the 34th chair 1912 — 1926	Succeeded by Francisco de Aquino Correia